Inspector Zende: Manoj Bajpayee’s Netflix Thriller Gets Mixed Reactions Online
Netflix’s latest Hindi-language comedy thriller, Inspector Zende, has made its much-anticipated debut on 5 September 2025, bringing to screen a riveting cat-and-mouse chase inspired by one of India’s most sensational crime sagas.
Directed and written by Chinmay Mandlekar in his directorial debut, the film stars Manoj Bajpayee as the fearless Mumbai cop Madhukar Zende, best remembered for arresting the notorious serial killer Charles Sobhraj twice.
In this fictionalised retelling, Jim Sarbh essays Carl Bhojraj, a chilling character modelled on Sobhraj, adding layers of tension and dark humour.
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Produced by Jay Shewakramani and Om Raut, the film has already stirred conversations for its sharp writing, gripping pace, and standout performances by Bajpayee and Sarbh. Now, let us look at what social media is saying about Inspector Zende.
One X user described Inspector Zende as “a light-hearted, family-friendly true crime drama.” They highlighted that Manoj Bajpayee is “hilarious and owns the character throughout,” while Jim Sarbh, as always, delivers with ease. The viewer summed it up as a “family-recommended one-time watch.”
#InspectorZende
A light hearted, family friendly true crime drama.@BajpayeeManoj is hilarious and owns the character throughout.@jimSarbh as always delivers with ease.
A family recommended one-time watch. pic.twitter.com/cDp4Qu296V— Sanchit Keswani (@sanchitkeswani) September 6, 2025
Another user said that they did not like Inspector Zende, calling it confused in tone and poorly written, with forgettable characters and humour that never really landed. They even questioned how content like this was approved for release on Netflix.
#InspectorZendeOnNetflix is so confused in its tone, trying so hard to be funny but doesn’t have even one scene that’s funny, characters are forgettable, writing is sloppy … how does content like this get a green signal for release?
— satyadarshi behera (@satyadarshi) September 5, 2025
Another viewer said that Inspector Zende was “well-directed and made lighter for everyone to consume.” They added that Indians can be proud of Inspector Zende, the officer who caught Charles Sobhraj not once but twice, and remarked that Indian police work — whether in this case or in the capture of Ajmal Kasab — could “give the whole world the run for its money.”
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What a movie! Well-directed and made lighter for everyone to consume. Indians can be proud of Inspector Zende sir, who caught Charles not once but twice! Our police work can give the whole world the run for its money whether it’s this case or Kasab’s.https://t.co/IYeWxA4Vn4
— Yash (@yash_what) September 6, 2025
Taking to the X platform, another viewer said that Inspector Zende is a “solid and light-hearted crime comedy film full of soul and determination.” They felt it was powered by excellent performances from Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh, gave it an overall rating of 7/10, and added that it was a clear recommendation to watch on Netflix.
Inspector Zende is a solid and light hearted crime comedy film full of soul and determination. It is powered by excellent performances from @BajpayeeManoj and Jim Sarabh. Overall rating 7/10. It is a recommendation from me. Out now on @NetflixIndia pic.twitter.com/Sbnw6iUvPP
— Suchit Seth (@SuchitSeth2) September 5, 2025
